Ammannia senegalensis

Ammannia senegalensis is widespread in tropical and subtropical Africa, extending north to Lower Egypt. It occurs as a weed in rice fields and also colonises floodplains and other damp to wet sites, occasionally even saline soils.¹

It is distinguished from the similar A. gracilis by less densely flowered inflorescences, an emersed stem only up to about 40 cm tall and leaves whose margins usually curve downwards, making the blade arched.¹ Like that species it needs plenty of light and a nutrient-rich substrate, but it is easier to keep because it grows faster and can be propagated more productively from side shoots.¹ Underwater it only shows to advantage in groups, and it also suits smaller aquariums.¹ On the basis of DNA analyses and herbarium specimens, all Nesaea species were transferred to Ammannia in 2011 and 2013.¹